| Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous | |
|---|---|
 Studio album by Big L | |
|
Released |
March 28, 1995 |
|
Recorded |
May 1993 - June 1994 |
|
Studio |
Powerplay Studios |
|
Genre(s) |
Hip hop, East Coast hip hop, Hardcore hip hop, Underground hip hop |
|
Length |
48:42 |
|
Label |
Columbia |
|
Producer(s) |
Buckwild, Craig Boogie, Lord Finesse, Showbiz |
| Big L chronology | |
|---|---|
|
Next album |
The Big Picture (2000) |
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous is the debut studio album by American rapper from Harlem Big L, released in March 28, 1995 on Columbia Records. After being discovered by Lord Finesse, Big L signed to Columbia Records in 1992. Recording sessions took place in May 1993 to June 1994 at Powerplay Studios, Unique Studios and Chung King Studios in New York City. Production on the album was handled by Buckwild, Lord Finesse, Showbiz and Craig Boogie. The album features guest appearances from Cam'ron (credited as "Killa Cam"), Jay-Z, Herb McGruff, Buddah Bless, Big Twan, The Microphone Nut, Mike Boogie, Terra, Trooper J, Kid Capri, Party Arty, Lord Finesse and Grand Daddy I.U..
The album debuted at number 149 on the US Billboard 200 and number 22 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, but did not chart internationally. Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous spawned three singles: "Put It On", "M.V.P.", and "No Endz, No Skinz", the first two both peaked within the top 25 on the US Hot Rap Tracks and Hot Dance Singles Sales. Upon the albums release, the album received average reviews from music critics, earning praise for Big L's lyrics, but not for the production. As of August 2000, the album has sold 200,000 copies, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Due to Big L's murder in 1999, it is the only album released by him during his lifetime.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Put It On" | Big L, Kid Capri | Best, Coleman | Buckwild | 3:39 |
| 2. | "M.V.P." | Big L | Coleman, DeBarge, Hall, Jordan | Lord Finesse | 3:40 |
| 3. | "No Endz, No Skinz" | Big L | Coleman, LeMay | Showbiz | 3:30 |
| 4. | "8 Iz Enuff" | Big L, Terra, Herb McGruff, Buddah Bless, Big Twan, Killa Kam, Trooper J, Mike Boogie |
Best, Buddah Bless, Coleman, Herb McGruff, Killa Kam, Mike Boogie, Terra, Trooper J, Twan |
Buckwild | 4:59 |
| 5. | "All Black" | Big L | Coleman, Hall | Lord Finesse | 4:21 |
| 6. | "Danger Zone" | Big L, Herb McGruff | Best, Coleman | Buckwild | 3:38 |
| 7. | "Street Struck" | Big L | Coleman, Hall | Lord Finesse | 4:10 |
| 8. | "Da Graveyard" | Big L, Lord Finesse, Microphone Nut, Jay-Z, Party Arty, Grand Daddy I.U. | Best, Coleman | Buckwild | 5:24 |
| 9. | "Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous" | Big L, Herb McGruff | Coleman, Hall | Lord Finesse | 3:22 |
| 10. | "I Don't Understand It" | Big L | Coleman, LeMay | Showbiz | 4:21 |
| 11. | "Fed Up wit the Bullshit" | Big L | Coleman, Hall | Lord Finesse | 3:53 |
| 12. | "Let 'Em Have It "L"" | Big L | Coleman, Rollins | Craig Boogie | 3:58 |
Credits
- Engineer: Chris "Conman" Conway.
- Engineer (assistant): Jon Shriver, Chris Irish, Dino Zervos, Mack Robinson.
- Recorded by: Chris "Conman" Conway, Tony Smalios (track 1, 6).
- Mixed by: Chris "Conman" Conway, Rich July (track 1, 6).
- Mastered by: Tony Dawsey.
- Art Direction & Design: Michelle Willems.
- Photography: Danny Clinch.
- Styling: Girard Hunt.
- Make-Up: Nzingha Gumbs.
- Legal Representation: Bruce Jackson.
- Management: Diane Richards.
Album liner notes
Much love to my family and to all my people from Uptown and all over. Good lookin' out to the whole Columbia staff, my manager Diane Richards, and the entire NFL Crew. Gotta say thanks to all the members of Diggin' in the Crates, especially my man Lord Finesse for givin' me my first taste of wax in '92 and for going out of his way to put me on. Peace to Kid Capri and Major Chubby for representin' on my first single. Rest in peace Kerry, Nate, Tall, Glen and Big Sid - Big L and the entire NFL Crew still love you. Thanks to everybody else that deserves to be thanked. – Big L
Samples
Put It On
- "It's a New Day" by Skull Snaps
- "Vibrations" by Buster Williams
M.V.P.
- "Stay With Me" by DeBarge
- "Just Rhymin' With Biz" by Big Daddy Kane feat. Biz Markie
No Endz, No Skinz
- "4 Aces" by Louis Bellson, Shelly Manne, Willie Bobo and Paul Humphrey
- "Rubber Jam" by The Rubber Band
8 Iz Enuff
- "School Boy Crush" by Average White Band
- "The Dream" by Dollar Brand
- "Soul Travelin' Pt. I (The G.B.E.)" by Gary Byrd
- "UFO" by ESG
All Black
- "Cucumber Slumber" by Weather Report
Danger Zone
- "The White Man Brings Drugs Into Harlem" by Malcolm X
Street Stuck
- "The Mixed Up Cup" by Clyde McPhatter
- "Witch Doctor's Brew" by Magnum (Funk Band)
- "My Thang" by James Brown
Da Graveyard
- "Friday the 13th Original Theme" by Harry Manfredini
- "Represent" by Showbiz & A.G.
Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous
- "Nautilus" by Bob James
- "Dialogue by Roy to Aretha" from Bucktown
I Don't Understand It
- "Wah Wah Man" by Young-Holt Unlimited
Fed Up With The Bulls!@#
- "Between the Sheets" by The Isley Brothers
- "Blues and Pants" by James Brown
- "Ain't No Half-Steppin'" by Big Daddy Kane
Let 'Em Have It L
- "Rainmaker" by Harry Nilsson
- "Nautilus" by Bob James
- "The Symphony" by Marley Marl